Structural element



Feb. 17, 1931. M. s. GOLD SMITH 1,792,491

' STRUCTURAL ELEMENT Filed Feb. 6, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 MAX 5. Gouosmfln attouwg Feb. 17, 1931.

M. S. GOLDSMITH STRUCTURAL ELEMENT Fiied Feb. 6, 1923 A 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Flo- Mm 5. Gomsmaln Feb. 17, 1931. M. s. GOLDSMITH STRUCTURAL ELEMENT I 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 6, i923 gwuentoz mm 5. Gopgsmin tozneq Patented Feb. 17, 1931 pair]:

stares PA ENT or Pics MAX s. GOLDSMITH, or CINCINNATI, onto, ,Assreavon To THE GOLDSMITH METAL ATE COMPANY, or CINCINNATI, QHIO,'A CORPORATION or OHIO I STRUCTURAL ELEMENT Application mar February Anobject of my invention isto provide a i with or without plastic construction, and is unit structural element, that maybe used devoid of the frangibility of tile and the like now used in said and analogous arts.

Another object of my invention is to provide an element that will retain the desirable features of such structural elements as for example being fireproof, yet will-attain advantages heretofore unaccomplished. 7

Another object ofmy invention is to provide a simple and efiicient device of this nature. p V V .These and other objectsare attained by the means described herein and disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig...1 is a perspective view of a tileor ceiling slab embodying my invention.

Fig, 2 is, a perspectiveview of a modified.

form of the element shown in Fig. 1.

.Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view through a combined floor and ceiling structureem-. ploying elements embodying my invention. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3-show1nga modifiedform of element embodying my in vention, serving in thesamecapacity as the elements shown in F ig. 3. I

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig.

3 acting the adaptation ofelements embodying my,

invention to, the plastic structural arts and disclosing. the simplicity of the temporary structure employed therewith.

. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of my invention.

Fig. 7 is a sectional Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a'fragmental perspective view of' a column embodying my invention. I I

Figs. 9 andlO are fragmental perspective views of my invention as applied to I beams.

Fig. 11is a fragmental'perspective view of my invention as applied to'hollow tile and the like.

Fig. 12 is a fragmental perspective view of my invention as applied to a filler as is used in hollow concrete floors, etc.

a Fig. 13 is a fragmental perspective view of a my invention as applied to a channel bar.

Fig. 14 is a fragmental perspective view of a ceiling structure embodying my invention.

view on line 7 7 of Serial No. 617,380.

Broadly myinvention contemplatesa casing of sheet metal or thelike, within-which is The structure or element 23 disclosed in Fig. 1 comprises an outer shell'or casing 5of any suitable material such as sheet iron. 1 The casing has open ends as shown at 6 and has undercut, ledges '7 formed in itssides, the ledges extending longitudinallyof the casing and providing spaces in which concrete may lodge to form a lock or key 8 as shownin Figs. 3 and 4. The interior of the shell is adapted to receive a plastic substance, such as the various gypsum compounds, which plastic material is permitted to solidify within the casing. I The solidifying of the plastic compound may be supplemented by bakingv or firing as is common in the art. The filler I mass may be in apowder or other form tha may be packed in the casing. 'In'the structure disclosed in Fig. 2, the lower sheet 9 of the shell is provided with end laps 10' and'11 of a size and structure such that said laps may be bent to form clos ures for the ends of the shell.

The lower face or plateof the shell 9 may be provided with perforations 12 as shown in Fig. 4, to permit surfacing of the exterior 1 of the platewith the plastic material 13, such as a gypsum compound, wherewith the shell is packedQ The perforationsare pro vided so that there will be a bond between the plastic inside of the shell and the plastic material of the outer plate 9 to assure fix? ation of the facing 14 upon the shell.

In Fig. 5 are shown shells, such as 5 provided with lugs 20 or grooves 21 for positioning domes 22 that may be of the type shown in Fig. 12. It should be noted that the elements 23 may be supported directly upon planks 24 carried by the upper ends of the shores 25, see Fig. 5, and that no other temporary structure is necessary. The under faces of theelements 23 serve as a. ceiling when the shores and planks are removed, subsequent to the pourin of the plastic mass or concrete 26 that locks the elements 23 in position. The lower-faces of the shells 5 may be ornamented, thereby providing an ornamental sheet metal ceiling that is fireproof, a structure heretofore unknown.

The elements may be mace long as shown in Fig. 6, and-mayhave recesses 27for the reception of concrete whereby to lock the elements to the concrete floor next above.

The structure disclosed in Fig. 8 may be applied in various ways and places where columns may be desired, and may have inner and outer sheet metal casings for receiving the plastic mass 40, and thereby providing a rigid form for receiving a concrete core 41 and reenforcing bars 42. By providing the casing 28 with perforations as shown in the sheets 90f the shells disclosed in Fig. 4, a plastic facing 14 maybe applied to the column. 7

Figs. 9, 12 and 14 show various structural forms having outer casings for the reception of a fireproof filler mass. These forms may follow the teachings of 8, in whole or in part. The elements 22, 23, 43 and 44 may have deformed sides as shown at 45 in Fig. 5 whereby to effect mortar joints. Again, the sides of such elements may be spaced as shown at 46 in Fig. 14, and mortar or the like be employed to fill such spaces. The elements 22, Fig. 12, may be employed in lieu of the elements 23, and may be made with smooth sides to permit withdrawal of such elements when the concrete mass 26 has set, or the sides may be deformed and spacedly supported on the shores 25, and the concrete mass 26 will lock the elements 22 to the mass 26. Suitable lath supports may be mounted on the shores prior to pouring concrete 26, thereby providing anchoring means for lath for supporting a drop ceiling. The end laps shown in Fig. 2 may be applied to any of the other types of element.

Figs. 10, 11, and 13 show various structural forms of hollow construction, these structures being accomplished by spaced shells 29 and 30 between which shells is contained a filler 31. The openings 32 at the centers of the several structures make the resultant elements lighter without affecting any of their other qualities.

In Fig. 14 are shown several structures 33 that are secured below and upon the joists 34, whereby a fireproof ceiling or wall is created below the joists. The structures 33 mayhave lugs 35 struck from their casings or shells 36 and the lugs may be mounted on the joists in any suitable manner and by any suitable means, for example, nails 37. The elements 33 may have suitable joining edge structures such as the tongue and groove shown at 38, the angle structure shown at 39, etc., wherebyto facilitate even mounting and accurate registration of adjacent elements 33.

The element disclosed herein is intended to constitute a unit for use in structural work, such unit being associated with other similar units for effecting a composite structure. These units are intended to be made at a factory and are then to be transported, ready for installation, to the site at which same is to be used. As a result 'of the applicants device being capable of productionin this manner, it is possible to have uniform units, while the employment of such units makes possible the elimination of molds, etc. for the concrete, which mold must subsequently be torn down. The applicants element also eliminates lathing together with'all the labor incident to-all of the foregoing,the-application of lathing, the-application of plaster over the laths and the erection and tearing down of molds. Further, a ceilingcomprising units embodying my invention is actually fireproof. These units are'e'specially effective in floor and ceiling structures as well as in the construction of pillars, uprights and wall structures since the metal form giving shell may be suitably embossed in'the mannerwell known in the art of metal ceilings and the like for producing-the desired ornamental effects in a finished condition at the time the structure isbeing built and thereby eliminatingthe numerous steps usuallyemployed in attaining these finished ornamental efiects. When the units are constructed with perforated outer surfaces such as are disclosed in Fig. 4, a coating of finish plaster or stucco or the like may be applied as in other forms of structural units.

l/Vhat I claim is:

1. Asa new article ofmanufacture a structural unit of the class described comprising a shell having open ends, and having laps at its ends for forming closures for the ends of the shell, and a fireproof filler for the shell.

2. A building block comprising a form giving sheet metal shell defining all the sides thereof, the shell having perforations in one of its faces, a heat insulating plastic mass filling the shell, anda facing of plastic covering the perforated face of the shell and bonded through the perforations in the shell face with the mass within the shell.

3. As a new article of manufacture a unitary prepared structural element comprising a shell and a fireproof filler completely filling the shell, said element being recessed at its top edges for the reception of a plastic floor mass, which when hardened will lock the ele- (Iii comprising a form giving metal shell and a I so ment to the floor mass and i ment from said mass."

4. In a floor and ceiling structure the com' bination of unitary prepared elements comprising metal shells having fireproof filler completely filling them, said elements being adapted for edge to edge abutment to support a plastic floor mass and being suitably recessed on the top faces to admit the plastic floor mass, said mass being adapted to set and to harden for locking the elements to said mass. 7

5. As a new article of manufacture a structural element for attachment to a plastic mass and comprising a single'mass of structurally weak fireproofing material, undercut on its attachable face and having a metallic member conforming to and protecting the undercut portion of the slab. 1

6. As a new article of manufacture a structural element for attachment to a plastic mass and comprising a single mass of structurally weak fireproofing material, undercut on its attachable face and having a conforming me tallic member protecting said face.

7. In "a floor and ceiling construction of the class described the combination of a plurality of prepared unitary structural elements each fire-proof filler compl'etelyfilling the shell, the unitary elements being provided with under-cut walls, said plurality of unitary elements being adapted to be arranged in continuous edge to edge abutment as a supporting means upon which a plastic mass may be poured for forming a floor and for entry between the under-cut portions of adjacent unitary elements.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 31st day of January,

MAX S. GOLDSMITH.

suspend the ele-- V 

